You’ve been searching for a new job for so long, finally something interesting comes up that you’re interested in pursuing. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part—convincing the employer you deserve their trust and respect as much as possible, so when it comes time to negotiate the terms of their offer you can do so confident in your position.
How can you write a successful thank you letter that will land you the job you deserve? Use these helpful tips!
Personalize
The person you are writing to has a specific role in your success, so it’s essential you find a way to show them how much you appreciate their efforts. You can begin by individually addressing each person who has played a role in your recruitment process. Even if you’ve been through several interviews, it’s not too much to ask for a personalized thank you letter.
This will not only make your letter much more effective, but it also shows you took the time to find out more about them as a person. You’re demonstrating that you made an effort to get to know them beyond what was needed to thank them for their effort in recruiting you.
Be Confident
One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to appear unsure of yourself. Employers can sense when you’re not comfortable in your own skin, and it’ll make them uneasy about your ability to perform under pressure. When writing your letter, try to put yourself in your subject’s shoes—assuming they are a man, by the way—and think how you would react if they were to offer you the job.
For example, if they are an organization that values honesty, you could write that you are very confident you can successfully complete the tasks they have given you, even if this seem overwhelming at first. If they are a value-based organization, you could say you place a lot of value on being honest and would be happy to demonstrate this trait by being upfront about your past. Be confident, but never come across as arrogant or conceited.
These are just a few examples of how you can craft the perfect letter. Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it, as long as you come across as humble and honest, you’re going to be exactly what they’re looking for.
Keep It Short
Letters that are too long can end up being completely useless. The person you’re writing to is not only taking the time to read your letter, but they’re also probably scrolling through their inbox looking for more important matters to attend to. Keep your letters short and sweet, limiting your words to essential information. Your letter isn’t going to be read in its entirety, so you don’t want to make it longer than three or four paragraphs.
If you feel like you’re getting ready to write a lengthy letter, take a quick poll of your colleagues to see if others think so as well. If everyone else is going to be busy when the letter needs to be delivered, then you might end up taking up more than one letter slot. In that case, it’s probably best to send an e-mail rather than a paper version, so that they can get the information they need without having to wait for the letter.
Use Key Words
If you are writing to someone who is not a native English speaker, then be sure to use key words in your letter instead of plain English. There are a number of tools online that can help with this task, like the Google Translate button, which can instantly translate words and phrases into another language, making your letter much more accessible to the reader. In addition, some words have a special meaning in certain circles, so you want to make sure you’re using them correctly and that you’re not unintentionally giving yourself away. Be careful not to use slang words or words that can be considered offensive; instead, look to key words that can be construed in a positive way.
The Bottom Line
To write a successful letter, you have to put yourself in your subject’s shoes and think like they would if they were to offer you the job. Remember not to be afraid to be yourself and appear confident, but always keep it short and sweet. Use key words and avoid unnecessary details so you don’t end up writing a bloated letter. Finally, make sure to sign off with a complimentary closing paragraph.